Ziprasidone

What is Ziprasidone?

The drug ziprasidone acts as an antipsychotic medication.Ziprasidone oral solution is used to treat schizophrenia as well as the manic manifestations associated with bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Ziprasidone injections are used to treat the anxiety of people suffering from schizophrenia.Ziprasidone is also used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Side effects of Ziprasidone

Seek medical attention immediately when you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction (hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your throat or face) or an extreme skin reaction (fever or irritation of your throat and eyes, burning sensations in your eyes, skin irritation, and an ailment or redness that spreads and leads to blisters as well as peeling).

Consult a doctor when you experience a severe drug reaction that could affect various parts of your body. Symptoms may include an itch on your skin or fever, swelling of the glands, muscle pains, extreme weakness, unusual bruising, or the discoloration of your eyes or skin.

Ziprasidone may cause serious side effects. Stop using it and consult your doctor immediately in the event that you experience:

• Heartbeats that are fast or rapid, chest fluttering, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you're going to faint);
• Uncontrolled muscle movements in your facial muscles (chewing lip smacking, chewing mouth movement, frowning blinking, or eye movements);
• Any skin rash, regardless of how slight;
• Low white blood cell counts—fever, oral sores and skin scabs, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing;
• High blood sugar—increased thirst, more frequent urine output, a dry mouth or breath that smells of fruit
• Extreme nervous system reaction, very rigid (rigid) muscles, and a high fever. sweating as well as agitation, confusion, and confusion.

Common adverse effects of ziprasidone could include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
• Headache;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Trouble swallowing
• Weight gain
• Experiencing a feeling of being uneasy or unable to remain still;
• Involuntary muscle movements, tremors;
• Vision issues and vision problems
• Nasal congestion and a new or worsening cough

This is not a comprehensive list of all the side effects. Other effects may also be present. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

It is not recommended to make use of ziprasidone when you suffer from an abnormal heart rhythm, long QT syndrome, are in control of cardiac failure, or are recently suffering from a coronary heart attack.Inform your doctor about the medicines you are currently taking as well as any new medications you decide to start or stop taking. A variety of drugs interact, and certain drugs shouldn't be taken together.

Do not take ziprasidone and contact your doctor immediately if you experience sudden dizziness, rapid or pounding heartbeats, an eerie flutter within your chest area, a shortness of breath, or a sudden or more severe skin rash that is accompanied by an increase in temperature or swelling of your glands.Ziprasidone isn't permitted for use by older adults suffering from dementia-related psychosis.

Before you Take this Drug

It is not recommended to use this medicine if your body is allergic to ziprasidone or you suffer from:

• A heart rhythm disorder
• Lengthy QT syndrome (in the case of you or a relative);
• Untreated or controlled heart failure that is untreated or controlled;
• If you've recently suffered an attack on your heart.

Ziprasidone could cause serious heart conditions. The risk is higher when you are also taking other medications. Your doctor might alter the treatment plan when you are also using:

• An antidepressant
• The bronchodilator asthma medicine
• Cancer medicine;
• Certain antibiotics for infections;
• Blood pressure or heart medication;
• Medication to cure, prevent treatment, or prevent malaria;
• Medication to avoid vomiting or nausea;
• Medicine to treat a mental disorder
• Medication for treating HIV and AIDS.

Ziprasidone could raise the chance of death in elderly patients suffering from dementia-related psychosis. It isn't permitted for this usage.

Speak to your doctor if you have ever suffered from:

• Any heart issues;
• A heart attack and stroke;
• Weakening spells;
• Breast cancer;
• Lower blood levels of magnesium or potassium;
• Diabetes (ziprasidone may raise your blood sugar);
• Seizures or epilepsy;
• Suicidal thoughts;
• Alzheimer's disease;
• Difficulty swallowing
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease.

The use of antipsychotic medications during the last three months of pregnancy can result in breathing and feeding issues, as well as withdrawal symptoms in the infant. You should not cease taking ziprasidone without your doctor's guidance.It is not recommended to feed your baby while taking this medication.

Senior adults could have a greater sensitivity to the side effects of this drug.Ziprasidone has not been approved to be used by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How to Take Ziprasidone?

Refer to the instructions on your prescription label. Also, review all guides to medication or prescriptions. Use the drug exactly as directed.Ziprasidone oral solution is taken by mouth.

Ziprasidone injections are injected directly into the muscle. Your doctor will administer this injection in the event that you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.Take the ziprasidone capsule with food. Inhale the capsule completely.It is possible that you will require regular medical tests.If you suffer from diabetes, be sure to check the levels of your blood sugar regularly on a daily basis when you take ziprasidone.

It could take several weeks until you feel better. Don't stop taking the medication immediately, even though you feel well. Use the prescribed dosage and inform your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.Place it in a cool, dry place far from light, moisture, and heat.

Details on Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:

Oral:
Initial dosage: 20 mg taken every day, taken orally.
Dosage for maintenance: Adjust according to what is medically advised at intervals of not less than two days.
Maximum dose: 100 mg twice a day.
Comments: A dose higher than 80 milligrammes twice a day is not generally suggested.
Intramuscular:
The recommended dose is 10–20 mg IM. You can repeat 10 mg IM every 2 hours or 20 mg IM every 4 hours, up to the daily maximum dosage.
Maximum dose: 40 mg IM per day.
The duration of treatment: Utilization for longer than 3 consecutive days hasn't been investigated.
Comments:
Co-administration of IM ziprasidone for patients who are already taking oral ziprasidone has not been investigated and is not recommended.
If long-term therapy is required, oral capsules should be replaced with IM administration whenever possible.
Uses:
Treatment for schizophrenia (oral)
-Acute treatment for agitation schizophrenia (IM)

Usual Adult Dose for Bipolar Disorder:

Acute Treatment of Manic or Mixed Episodes:
Initial dose: 40 mg taken orally twice a day.
Increase dose to 60 mg or even 80 mg twice every day on the second day, and then adjust dosage according to tolerance and effectiveness within the dosage range of 40 and 80 mg twice daily orally every day.
Maintenance Treatment (as an alternative to lithium or valproate):
Once the patient is stable, continue with the identical dosage in the range of 40–80 mg taken orally every day.
Comments:
The average dose of ziprasidone administered in clinical trials with a flexible dose was about 120 mg/day.
The use of monotherapy has not been assessed for the treatment of maintenance bipolar I disorder.
Uses:
As monotherapy for the management of acute mixed or manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
As a supplement for lithium and valproate as the treatment of maintenance for bipolar I disorder.

What Happens If I Miss a Dose?

Do not take the medicine for as long as you can. However, avoid any missed doses if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.Make sure you refill your prescription before the expiration date of your medication.

What Happens If I Overdose?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.

What Should be Avoided?

While taking ziprasidone, it is possible that you are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures, for example, extremely hot and extremely cold conditions. Avoid becoming cold, or getting dehydrated or overheated. Take plenty of water, particularly in hot weather and when exercising. It is more likely that you will be extremely hot and dehydrated when you take ziprasidone.

Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand the extent to which ziprasidone can affect your health. Drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion can lead to accidents, falls, or even serious injuries.Be careful not to get up too quickly from a lying or sitting position. You could get dizzy. Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects can be experienced.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Ziprasidone may cause serious heart conditions. Your risk may be greater if you take other medications for asthma or heart issues, high blood pressure, depression, cancer, mental illness, malaria, or HIV.Utilizing ziprasidone in conjunction with other medications that cause drowsiness can cause more of this. Consult your physician before taking opioid medication, a sleep pill, a muscle relaxer, or medication to treat anxiety as well as seizures.

A variety of drugs can interact with ziprasidone, and certain drugs are not recommended to be used simultaneously. Inform your doctor of all your medications as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking. It includes over-the-counter and prescription supplements, vitamins, medications as well as herbal supplements. Not all interactions are included in this list.